Money Smart Press Releases FDIC's Money Smart Curriculum Now Available in Braille and Large Print for Visually Impaired

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMS-04-2006 (10-30-2006)

Media Contact:David Barr (202-898-6992)Liz Kelderhouse (816-234-8151)

In its continuing effort to reach all groups in need of financial education, and in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is pleased to announce it has released its award-winning Money Smart curriculum in Braille and large-print versions. This marks the first time a financial education program has been specifically targeted for individuals with visual impairments.

To commemorate the event, the FDIC Kansas City Regional Office, in cooperation with Alphapointe Association for the Blind, will host a Visually Impaired Financial Education Kickoff on Tuesday, October 31, in Kansas City, Missouri. Similar events will be rolled out by the FDIC New York and Dallas Regional Offices over the next several months.

"The FDIC recognizes that those with visual impairments should have the same opportunities as the rest of society, and that includes access to financial education and mainstream financial services," said FDIC Chairman Shelia C. Bair. “The new Braille and large-print versions of our Money Smart financial education program will be an excellent complement to other educational and transition-service programs designed to reach individuals with visual impairments.

The October 31st Kansas City kickoff will be held at the Alphapointe Campus, 7501 Prospect, Kansas City, Missouri. For more information about the event, call FDIC Community Affairs Officer Liz Kelderhouse on 816-234-8151.

Money Smart is available free of charge to help consumers understand basic financial services, build assets, develop money-management skills and learn how to use banking services effectively. The FDIC works with national and local organizations to promote Money Smart to their constituents. Money Smart is also available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, and an Interactive CD ROM version.

To learn more about the FDIC's Money Smart program, visit the Money Smart page on the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/index.html. Since July 2001, when Money Smart was launched, more than 495,000 consumers have completed a Money Smart course and more than 95,000 new banking relationships have been established with Money Smart students. Money Smart was awarded the 2003 Service to America medal by the Partnership for Public Service.

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Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's 8,778 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars – insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet at www.fdic.gov, by subscription electronically (go to
www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html) and may also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200). MS-4-2006